Conditions And Diseases | The Cure and Prevention of Diseases

Modern Medicine For Cure Of Diseases

The world has always been full of diseases. With the world becoming a global village, competition between different people, races and countries have also increased. The fast paced life and the hardcore competition has been taking a toll on human lives and minds. People are catching various types of diseases easily. The modern studies in the field of medicine has also attributed to the discovery of various diseases which till now remained a mystery for the human race.

Modern researches have led to the discovery of a wide number of diseases which were unheard of in the last century. The information about the various diseases are also reaching people faster. Along with the discovery of diseases, the various processes of treating those diseases have also developed drastically. Scientists and doctors have been working effortlessly to come out with treatment procedures and medicines for those diseases which remained untreated earlier.

A large number of people used to die to diseases as there were no treatment methods for them. However, nowadays such incidences have decreased massively. Previously cholera and tuberculosis were dreaded diseases which remained untreated in most of the cases. Today they are just like any other diseases and are easily curable. Surgical as well as medicinal procedures have improved by leaps and bounds.

Nowadays, most of the diseases of the world are treatable. Modern means of curing those diseases and making the procedures less painful are some of the fine steps which have been augmented in the field. People are now less scared of various diseases as they know that there are fine means of treating and curing those diseases. The drastic developments in the field of medical science have decreased the mortality rate across the world and people are now living for a much longer time than the previous era. Would you agree?

Filed Under: Conditions and Diseases, Health Tagged With: Conditions and Diseases, Cure, Disease

About Prevention Is Better Than Cure

No one can challenge the time tested success of a balanced diet in prevention of diseases. Over the past 50 years the features and proximity of diet has changed. The historical food pyramid with cold storage functionality of food accumulation is a directive principle in diabetes attack. Industry finance directly reflects the food and nutritional balances of today’s human needs which are so much evident. Health screening and baseline creation are foremost in disease prevention.

To take care of your health one needs to scan the current health condition with lifestyle management principles. Laboratory tests on specific time frame helps in keeping track heart diseases, cardiac malfunction, diabetes contradictions. Health risk assessment is an important tool prior to review by a designated physician who can draw the line between a healthy human physiology and a disease prone individual. Disease prevention is the hybridized field of study accompanying linkages of other fields like anthropology, epidemiology.

Many national governing bodies practice professional health assessment plans to strip the benefits of societal health structure. Humans in current global parameters are disease prone with fast track professional lifestyle and crowded cities. Different nations have formulated specific disease prevention framework. They have developed strategies to foster better community health. Provision of purified drinking water, vaccination programmes have been the foundation of developed national health pyramids. Proper education implanted with hygiene strategies with drinking water sanitization are basics to a healthy society.

Recent health groups are focusing on community education as well as HIV/AIDS education to bring a health conscious parameter in every citizen. Prophylactic medication with research initiative in institutions built around scientific models is at the forefront of diagnosis. Emergencies arising from bioterrorism, radiation and mass disease spread requires detailed research and professional steps to counteract the same. Recent times have shown the beneficial aspects of sauna in restoration of physical as well as mental health. Sauna coupled with a balanced nutrition helps in prevention of obesity which lies at the root for various cardiac disorders. Strategic finance models with innovative government initiative should be the yardstick of democracy.

Filed Under: Health, Preventive Measures Tagged With: Conditions and Diseases, Nutrition, Preventive medicine

How to keep obesity at bay

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The modern urban way of life that many of us lead has given rise to a spate of disorders and ailments understood as lifestyle disease. As the name suggests, these diseases are not communicable or caused by circumstances beyond human control. Simply put, they are a manifestation of an unhealthy or unnatural lifestyle. The good news is that we can adopt preventive measures to keep these diseases at bay.
One of the common ailments that is a direct result of an unhealthy lifestyle is obesity. In general terms, obesity is defined as a medical condition in which excess fat accumulates in the body. Obesity leads to a spate of several other diseases, prominently heart ailments. Obesity also has the potential to cause early death. Two of the most common preventive measures to check obesity are: diet and exercise.
People do not become obese overnight; it is the result of months and years of neglect. To start with, people should check their Basal Metabolic Index or BMI, which is a ratio of height and weight. If the BMI is higher for a person than what it should be, it is time to control one’s weight.
One should switch to foods that are high in protein and fiber, but low in fat. Choose fruits, salads and boiled vegetables over fried food. In this way, the body fills up with nutrition without adding excess fat and, consequently, excess weight. Eat food high in energy but low on calories.
Another important aspect of the weight-control and weight-reduction regimen is exercise. We should dedicate at least 30 to 45 minutes of our day to jogging, swimming, brisk walking, gymming, doing yoga or a bit of everything. Physical activity not just helps to reduce and control weight gain, it also helps us to have an agile mind and a fit body. Exercises also help us to break away from our otherwise sedentary jobs.
By adopting preventive measures to contain obesity, we would be able to keep away from hypertension, heart ailments, back problems, fertility-related disorders and many more.

Filed Under: Health, Preventive Measures Tagged With: Body mass index, Conditions and Diseases, Obesity

Diagnosing malaria

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There are four principal methods of diagnosing malaria. These are symptomatic, microscopy, antigen test and molecular methods.

Symptomatic diagnosis is the most common, and people in poorer countries often use symptoms alone to diagnose malaria. In other areas, too, symptomatic diagnosis is often the initial one, followed by one of the other methods. However, it should be noted that many other diseases present symptoms very similar to malaria, and diagnosis by symptoms alone can be misleading and even harmful. Treating for malaria where other treatment is called for leaves the actual disease uncured and the patient in critical condition. It is therefore imperative to follow up symptomatic diagnosis with one of the other more accurate methods.

Onset of long periodic fevers, chills and bodily pain are often taken together to be symptoms of malaria. However, this diagnosis is often wrong; so is parasitemia, which means the concentration of parasites in the blood; both can be caused by other sorts of infections. It has been shown that retinopathy, the study of changes occurring in the retina of the eye, can give good indication of malaria, because the retinas change color and other aspects as a result of particular diseases.

Microscopic examination of blood, ever since the singular discovery of Laveran, the French scientist who first identified the plasmodium parasite, is the most reliable method of diagnosing malaria. In this, a specimen of blood is observed under the microscope for symptoms of the parasite; although, other bodily fluids like saliva or urine can also be used as less invasive methods.

In areas where microscopic exam is not feasible, antigen tests have been devised to quickly provide a diagnosis. These are commercially available tests that can be used on the field to detect the presence of malarial parasites; although not the load of parasites, but merely their presence, can be detected.

Lastly is the developmental stage molecular study which uses methods like PCR (polymerase chain reaction) to identify malaria. These are accurate, but expensive.

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The rising human cost of malaria

As the challenge on preventing malaria becomes more acute, many countries and organizations are increasing the annual funds for malaria research and vaccine development. As per one estimate, funding for malaria research increased from $5 million in 1997 to $800 million in 2007. Apart from global agencies like WHO and UNICEF, not-for-profit organization likes the Melinda and Bill Gates Foundation are focusing heavily on malaria preventives.
Malaria inflicts a huge economic cost on the population of the countries who are suffering. The disease greatly reduces the immunity of the affected people, making them susceptible to other ailments as well in the future. Continued vulnerability also leads to the inability of people to be productive for a longer period of time. Also, affected children are unable to continue their education resulting in a high number of school absenteeism. Eventually, they become unfit for employment or fit enough to lead a normal social life in the future.
The effort to prevent, cure and control malaria is a huge cost on public health spending. In many countries, malaria accounts for almost 40% of the total public health spending. There is the recurring cost of medicines, vaccinations and setting-up of healthcare centers. Many sub-Saharan countries lose almost 1.3% GDP annually due to malaria. This figure, compounded annually over many years, is a huge economic setback. A huge healthcare cost prevents the economic and social planners of countries from providing funds to other sectors which may be equally critical to development.
Apart from the expense of continuous funding, research and development and the economic cost to any country, there is a huge human cost. When livelihood is disrupted, children are sick and unable to attend schools, and people are unable to fight off the disease, the lives of millions are untimely disrupted. This puts any society and country far behind in the quest for progress, development, peace and well-being of its citizens.

Filed Under: Health Tagged With: Conditions and Diseases, Infectious disease

Aleve’s Side Effects

Millions of Americans suffer from the chronic pain related to osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Many take anti-inflammatory medications to help ease the discomfort associated with these diseases. Aleve, also known as Naproxin, is a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID, that alleviates pain by reducing inflammation causing hormones within the body. Aleve is also used to treat conditions like gout, bursitis, tendonitis, and menstrual cramps. Long-term use of NSAIDs is known to cause certain health risks along with side effects.

Most people who take Aleve will not see serious effects at all. Some less-serious side effects are dizziness, nervousness, and headaches. Some will experience stomach upset, including diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, and gas or bloating. Itchy skin may occur and on some occasions a rash may develop. Some patients may experience blurry vision or tinnitus, or ringing of the ears.

Other Aleve side effects are considered much more serious and demand medical attention. Taking any NSAID medication may elevate the risk of life-threatening heart problems. The longer an NSAID is used, the higher the risk a person takes. Any person experiencing chest pain, labored breathing, slurred speech, weakness or vision or balance issues should seek medical attention immediately; these are common symptoms associated with heart attacks and strokes. Using NSAIDs may also lead to serious problems with the GI tract, including bleeding and perforation in the stomach or intestines. When these types of complications occur, they can be fatal. Bloody, tarry or black bowel movements that may or may not be accompanied by vomit that resembles coffee grounds can indicate a serious digestive problem.

Other symptoms that could indicate medical concerns are swelling or rapid weight gain, urinary infrequency or halting, nausea, lost appetite, white bowel movements, or jaundice. Anyone who experiences a fever, sore throat, and a headache with a peeling, blistery rash should go to the nearest hospital.

Filed Under: Conditions and Diseases, Health Tagged With: Aleve, Conditions and Diseases, Health, Heart disease, Human gastrointestinal tract, Naproxen, Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, United States

An Overview of Malaria

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Malaria is a transmittable blood disease afflicting 350-500 million people each year across the globe. It is caused by a small bite from the female Anopheles mosquito that transfers the parasite into the bloodstream of the host. Common symptoms of the disease include aches and joint pain, high fever, vomiting, shaking, chills and even anemia. If untreated or not diagnosed at the early stages, malaria can lead to severe medical complications and eventually death. As of 2010, there are no vaccines against the disease but there is rigorous testing being conducted due to the widespread infection.

The most effective method of treatment against the disease is prevention. Equatorial countries tend to have a higher risk due to the tropical and subtropical climate. North America and Western Europe do not pose any threats of areas where malaria is being spread. Prior to travelling to one of the prone areas, it is best to consult a physician for preventative measures and health medicine. Mosquitos become immune to medications quickly so the doctor may not prescribe any oral medications. While in the country, insect repellant and netting are recommended.

The treatment of the disease in its early stages can be accomplished at home. Hospitalization is only required for those that did not acquire treatment in time. Minor cases of malaria only warrant oral medications but continuous fluid must be fed into the body to ensure no dehydration ensues. The most common treatment drugs are Quinine sulphate and doxycycline which are taken for one week. The physician will provide explicit instructions on how to take the medicine and dosage information. These are usually administered in small doses as too much can cause medical complications.

Malaria is a hidden killer in that it appears to be the flu while spreading quickly through the body. If traveling to or coming from high risk areas and flu-like symptoms are being experienced, seek a medical doctor immediately. Let them know you have been in a malaria prone area. Early detection is the key to proper diagnosis and treatment.

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Antibiotic Testing that May Prevent Malaria

Thousands of variants of malaria vaccinations have been and are currently being tested on mice. In August 2010, it was found that if mice are given an antibiotic while being infected with the disease, the parasite does not appear in their blood. The study also resulted in a long-term immunity to the disease with ensuing infections.

Dr. Steffen Borrmann of the Department of Infectious Diseases headed a team that made the discovery. As a result of this breakthrough, scientists believe an affordable and safe prophylaxis containing antibiotics can be administered to fight malaria in high risk areas without the use of needles.

The study began with mice being injected with Sporozoites directly into their bloodstream. While this occurred, mice were given the clindamycin or azithromycin antibiotics. The common path for a Sporozoite is to head straight to the liver where it replicates and infects red blood cells. The treatment prevented red cells in the blood from being infected. Common symptoms of fever and eventually death did not occur. Injections continued in the mice after 40 days and four months with the same result. Finally, at the six month mark researchers injected the disease without the antibiotic and the mice had protection from malaria.

This raises the question as to the transferability to humans. The results found 30 percent of the mice had complete protection while 70 percent of mice were still infected, but had a weakened parasite that did not affect the brain which is highly favorable. The antibiotics used are affordable for the average consumer with few side effects. The primary motivation of the study was to give malaria-stricken regions a chance to administer a simple, natural vaccination.

With each new breakthrough is another step toward finding a natural vaccination for malaria. These antibiotics appear to work well, are affordable and continue to be effective over a long period of time. Hopefully these will be approved and administered to high-risk areas.

Filed Under: Conditions and Diseases, Preventive Measures Tagged With: Conditions and Diseases, Infection, Infectious disease, Malaria

Diagnosing Malaria

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When a doctor is in the process of diagnosing malaria, they usually inquire about medical history, symptoms, travel history in specific regions and any medications currently being taken. During the same visit, the doctor will perform a physical examination. The test to determine a malarial infection is called a blood smear. Medical conditions that are considered by the physician prior to diagnosing malaria include meningitis, yellow fever, hepatitis, influenza and the common cold.

All these factors are considered prior to making a diagnosis. The blood smear is usually the determining factor to whether the patient has malaria. To be accurate, the blood test must identify malaria parasites or associated components. The blood smear examines a drop of blood on a microscope slide which is spread out. Prior to the examination, the blood specimen is stained to help the parasites be more easily identifiable. There are other blood tests used to identify the malaria parasite but the blood smear is the most widely utilized.

In areas where malaria is sparse, it can be a difficult diagnosis since many other conditions share the symptoms with malaria. In addition to those listed above are typhoid fever, dengue fever, stomach flu, an infection in the blood and acute schistosomiasis which is a disease caused by worms. For this reason, malaria can be a tricky infection to diagnose especially for those traveling from a high risk area to low risk.

Malaria can appear to be many other ailments which is why the blood smear is a vital aspect of correct diagnosis. In third world countries, this technology may not be as accurate so physicians often give their patients malaria medication as a precautionary measure. As technology improves, hopefully malaria will be more quickly and effectively identified which would result in a lower mortality rate in third world countries.

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The Incubation Period of Malaria

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The potentially deadly disease, Malaria, has an average incubation period of 10 days to a month. In rare instances, the disease can be limited to a week or even as long as a few years. There are a few factors that affect the length of incubation including the type of parasite and the preventative drug administered (if any).

When an individual is initially infected with the malaria parasite they will not initially show any symptoms. Instead, they will feel normal from seven days up to several years before any sign of the disease appears. During this time, the malaria parasite is rapidly multiplying which is the beginning of malaria symptoms and known as the malaria incubation period.

The Anopheles or female mosquito is the species that inflicts the wound and transfers the parasite to the host. The male species does not bite and transfer malaria to humans. Plasmodium falciparum has the shortest incubation period but tends to be the most common and severe of the parasites.

On the other hand, Plasmodium malaria, Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale typically have a much longer incubation period but are significantly less dangerous. These three parasites have a tendency to grow in the liver and cause symptoms after the incubation period while a portion remains dormant and can become active up to 4 years following the initial infection.

Once the parasite comes out of hibernation, it begins multiplying and eventually invades the red blood cells causing the host to become sick. These sleeping variants are the specific cause of relapses commonly found with these parasite variants. The antimalarial drug, Prophylaxis, can slow the incubation rate by a few weeks or months and also prevent the disease from spreading.

Unfortunately with such long incubation periods, misdiagnosis of malaria symptoms has become common. Incubation periods of malaria vary greatly depending on the parasite and preventative medication administered. A lack of initial detection is the biggest reason for misdiagnosis of the disease.

Filed Under: Conditions and Diseases Tagged With: Conditions and Diseases, Infectious disease, Malaria, Plasmodium, Plasmodium falciparum